Do you have cold feet? Not the kind that is a lack of confidence or doubt to do something you planned on doing, but actual cold feet? It’s important that you keep your feet warm and taken care of during the fall and winter months. Since the fall season and cooler weather is beginning to roll in, it’s a great time for some fall and winter foot care reminders from a New York podiatrist.

Keep your feet warm

This applies to certain areas of the country more than others, but in general most people will experience cold weather at some point this season. It’s important to keep your feet warm to increase circulation. This is especially true if you have diabetes or neuropathy. Diabetics need to protect their feet from cold and dampness to avoid problems like decreased blood flow or foot ulcers. Neuropathy is caused by nerve damage in your feet and makes it difficult to feel temperatures, so making sure you’re wearing warm socks and shoes helps insure your feet are staying warm.

Find boots that are made for walkin’

A good pair of boots is one way to keep your feet warm and protect them from the fall and winter elements. They should be waterproof to protect from rain, snow and ice, have good padding to give the proper support, and you should be able to wear them for more than a few hours at a time.

Make sure your boots aren’t too tight, or else you risk constricting blood flow. A thick pair of socks are a good idea because they will help protect against blisters, corns and calluses. Other foot problems you could experience by boots that don’t fit you correctly, are bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and general foot and heel pain. If you are experiencing any of these, they could be avoided simply by changing the type of shoes you’re wearing. A New York podiatrist at Adler Footcare can help recommend footwear for you as well as evaluate your feet to see if other treatment options are necessary.

Keep feet clean & moisturized

Wearing boots and thick socks will help keep your feet warm and offer proper support, but that warm environment also provides a place for bacteria to grow. Continue practicing the good foot hygiene you were doing during the summer months when people actually had to see your feet. This includes washing them daily, keeping them dry, using a good moisturizer, and keeping your toenails trimmed. A New York podiatrist recommends that you do this every day to help protect your feet from cracked heels, blisters, corns, calluses, toenail fungus, and general wear and tear causing your foot pain.

Practicing the foot care tips above will help keep your feet healthy and protect you against potential foot problems. Don’t get cold feet! If you’re experiencing chronic foot pain or are simply interested in a free evaluation, contact a New York podiatrist at Adler Footcare below. We believe feet shouldn’t hurt and neither should their treatment.

Dr. Adler is a leading podiatrist in NYC and heads up a staff of board certified podiatrists, with offices in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY. He has been practicing since 1979 and has performed thousands of foot surgeries. Dr. Adler is board certified in podiatric surgery and podiatric medicine by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. Adler Footcare of Greater New York provides all types of foot care treatments including foot pain management, bunion surgery, minimally invasive foot surgeries and Hyprocure®, which is changing the face of podiatry. They recently moved into their brand new office in Midtown Manhattan, complete with a state of the art Podiatric OR. Dr. Adler always says “your feet shouldn’t hurt and neither should their treatment”. Contact the caring staff today at the Manhattan or White Plains offices if you need a foot doctor in NYC.